La Pate a Bombe

by Michelle Christensen

As a kid, Fiona McConnell helped her dad with his catering company on the streets of Los Angeles and dreamed of becoming a famous pastry chef. Fiona gets her opportunity when Julia Stone, her much admired boss at Lucien, one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, fires both her head chef and pastry chef, allowing Fiona the chance to prove herself. Julia also hires legendary personality Liam Auclair as her new head chef and his objective is to earn what no restaurant in LA has ever three Michelin Stars. On Fiona’s first day as a pastry chef, she meets an upscale vintner named Rory Martin. Rory's passion for food, wine, and surfing is perfect for her—the boyfriend she's always dreamed of. But life, as it turns out, is not that simple.

Praise for La Pâte á Bombe

“Christensen delivers a delightful and multifaceted story that follows a feel-good thread about hard work, forgiveness, and redemption, while also pursuing an entertaining romantic plotline.” —Kirkus Reviews

“As a one-time denizen of the world Christensen so ably portrays—i.e. the restaurant culture of Venice and West Los Angeles—this engaging novel rings very true. I found myself commiserating with our spunky protagonist, Fiona, rooting for her, celebrating her humility, and cheering her on in the face of uncertainty and lack of confidence. The author gives us highly relatable, and powerful, female friendships, the promise (and fear) of love, youthful mistakes, professional high-stakes and the just rewards for a strong work ethic plus the willingness to take risks. Highly recommend spending a weekend+ immersed in this compelling tale.” —Brigit Binns, prolific cookbook author, and most recently author of the memoir A Succulent Story of Survival

Genres: Adult

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2025

About the author

Michelle Christensen is the author of La Pâte a Bombé. After working in the film and music industry for ten years, she became a stay-at-home mom. When it was time to return to work, she followed her dreams of becoming a pastry chef. She earned her associate's degree in patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, California. She's worked at some of the best restaurants and bakeries in Los Angeles and is currently a pastry chef at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California.

Michelle lives with her husband and three children in Santa Monica. When she's not running or looking for the next best recipe, she's a roadie for her kids' band.

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-op & Sibylline Press for my review copy. These are my thoughts:

How far are you willing to go and how much of yourself are you willing to give up for success and recognition? Fiona had worked hard to be where she was and she was one step away for being head pastry chef at Lucien - a two Michelin star restaurant in L. A. But under the vision and guidance of Chef Liam Auclair, will Fiona shine brighter or will she crash and burn in order to meet and exceed expectations.

Fiona is a hard working, determined woman with a goal and a deep passion and love for food and for telling a story evoking emotions in those that taste her sweet creations. Her vision clashes with that of chef Liam, who in turn, wanted her to bend to his will and what he thought was the way to gaining the coveted 3 Michelin stars.

I felt that the romance took a back seat in the story to be honest. Fiona’s journey and moral dilemmas, as well as the food and the intensity of the job, took centre stage. The male characters were polar opposites: Chef Liam was charming and insufferable, while Rory was sweet but at times felt too good to be true.

I have to praise Christensen for her descriptions of the food and ingredients - they were a character in themselves. They came to life and you felt as if you’d had a Michelin worthy banquet just from words on pages. The food and desserts came across as rich and complex and the ingredients juicy and luscious.

I would say this was quite slow burn. There was a steady rise towards Fiona accomplishing her goal to become head pastry chef and then the crash and burn as it all collapsed. I liked how she picked up the pieces and moved on to something bigger and better. I loved how she found her way back to herself.

The tension present throughout the story matches the intensity of the environment and the high stakes at play in the haute cuisine world. Even when I felt frustrated, I wanted to keep going. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. In the end, it was worth the wait. In hindsight, Fiona’s journey made sense - with all its ups and downs, she came out stronger and braver.

So many lessons can be extracted from this story. This is a book that will stick with me for a long while.

[Spice: closed door]

[Dimitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

La Pate a Bombe🧁
Firstly,I want to thank Michelle Christensen & BookSirens with trusting me with ARC🩷

In La Pate a Bombe we follow Fiona McConnell,a chef in her journey to become what she desired the most since she was a kid:her own pastry career,and when the opportunity presents herself she has to get in action.Fiona will mess not only with cremes and cakes,yet with men...

To start with,before you even open a page of this book have a pastry in a hand, a donut,piece of cake or a cinnamon roll,you will surerly need because if not,like me,you will sufferfrom vitamin no-sweet-treat for the whole reading experience-I warned you!🥐
Christensen's writing can only be compared to a cozy coffee shop that just got all the pastries out of the stove.It captivated me since page 1 and I could not stop,it was like everything around me paused and I was with Fiona all time, meaning it was cozy, medium paced and addictive. Also,I loved how she knew everything about pastry and chef-stuff and I did not felt like everything around that was a copy- paste from some cook book,she chose everything carefully and placed with the same importance giving us the best result.
Her romance was so so good,melty and sugary as it should be!Single dad trope and he was a cutie pie, I mean I almost FELL in love with him!It wasn't insta love,yet we didn't got bored waiting for it to happen,she understood Fiona more that her own self and gave her the romance when she needed the most!However,in the romance part she used a co-genre that I don't particulary enjoy-just not my cup of tea and for around 50-ish pages I can say I got the ick.. Even,as I always say I trust the characters first and in the end thing happened in the way the were meant to!
Aka MY BIGGEST trust the procces novel,that thankfully did not dissapointed me in the end!
3⭐

[Chels · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is literally The Devil Wears Prada but make it culinary 😂

Our story follows Fiona, a 2nd generation foodie whose dream is to be a head pastry chef at a prestigious restaurant. She wants to make a name for herself in the LA fine dining food scene. However, her work is extremely stressful, especially since the restaurant owner is a snob and the new head chef she hired has crazy ideas. There is also a bit of a love triangle with the son of a farmer vendor and the hot new chef. Will Fiona be able to handle the heat or have to leave the kitchen?

Honestly, I am not the target audience for this book, as I only occasionally read contemporary romances. I would say a large part of this book was a bit boring to me - too much day to day writing that was not interesting enough for me to be engaged in. For the first 20% of the book, I found myself not caring about the characters or the backstory. I only started caring when Liam, the head chef was introduced. That’s when the story gets interesting 😂

One aspect I did like was the detailed descriptions of the food and baking. It felt well researched and immersive. It’s like I could taste all the flavors and smell all the smells. I did not however find these characters believable. Liam literally said his idols growing up were Rachel Ray and Gordon Ramsey, really? Literally just naming two of the most well known celebrity chefs for a guy who is desperate for new and innovative.

The story also follows very similar directions to the Devil Wears Prada 😅 A boss who is hard to work with, a stressful environment, the mc having a lot of self doubt, an accidental “hook up” leads to a third act breakup, and the mc learning to follow her own dreams and path by the end.

I’d recommend if you like simple romances and I’m sure the culinary vibes will interest you 🍰Thank you to Book Sirens for the arc!

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adore novels that blend cooking and romance, and this fun story captured my heart and stomach and made me swoon. Delightful!

[Kaat SweetOnStories · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this but sadly had to DNF @ 47%
When I DNF, I do a skim through the rest of the novel to form a more complete opinion.

La Pate a Bombe follows Fiona, daughter of an ever-optimistic catering business owner. Fiona endeavours to make a name for herself, to become a noteworthy pastry chef chef, with the hopes of one day opening her own place. Until then, she works in the pastry kitchen in Lucien, a restaurant that already has 2 Michelin stars. But owner Julie is ambitious for that 3rd star, and fires both the pastry- and head chef in one fell swoop. Seeing something in Fiona in the moment, she gives her the chance of a lifetime: a 30 day trial period to prove herself. This is what she's been waiting for! But when the new head chef is brought in, all of Fiona's positive affirmations are brutally snowed under by her insecurities. Because Liam Auclair, one of the hottest chefs of today, is a tour de force in his own right, his ambitious vision challenging Fiona to confront her limitations as well as her priorities.

Here's what I liked about this debut:
- The book read away easily and did pull me in immediately. It felt very promising and I was excited. I love a baking / restaurant setting.
- Fiona's father was a sweetheart who shared her love for food. Would have loved more of that. That's where Fi's roots were.
- The author is a pastry chef, herself. Her knowledge of recipes, ingredients, flavors (and combinations) all shone through. I thought this part of the book was a joy to the senses. She got the setting of a high-stakes kitchen down pat.

But there were more things I didn't like:
- The narration & (inner) dialog were very repetitive. It became a chore to wade through Fiona's constant questioning.
- Fiona wasn't likeable. She was too singularly focused on “making a name for herself” and not very kind to people around her, dismissive even. As insecure as she was, she did exude arrogance at the same time.
- The career story line wasn't convincing. The setting is a 2 star Michelin restaurant which has its eye on star number 3. Fiona is a wallflower pastry baker who works in the kitchen below head chefs. I found it hard to believe that, with the stakes as high as they are, it is Fiona who (on a whim) gets and keeps this opportunity at this point in her professional career. She is insecure – which of course is very human and we need our main characters to have some vulnerability. But she can't take any criticism, seems unwilling to learn, and she lacks moxie. 
- I felt Christensen relied on jargon, explanations of techniques and name-dropping chefs with their cookbooks to give Fiona a professional air, but realistically, she just wasn't ready for this. She gets there eventually but it felt contrived to me. 
- A prominent romance story line in women's fiction is absolutely fine if it serves the rest of the story. I'm not opposed to a love triangle either, if it's done well. Unfortunately Christensen's MMC's both are utterly unappealing. Initially, I expected Liam to be the romantic lead; there was an instant organic chemistry and the promise of a good enemies-to-lovers trope. Instead, Christensen introduced Rory, who was very nice, but soooo wooden. Reading his dialog was like reading from a textbook. He had no personality and drama in his family life that didn't add much to the story. But we got told Fiona liked him immediately and I was disappointed when THIS guy was set up to be the actual romantic lead. Liam had much more potential. INITIALLY.

But then keeping Liam as a love interest regardless stopped making sense because:
- The drama at their place of work escalated; Liam became increasingly antagonistic (into bully/villain territory), yet simultaneously became increasingly appealing to Fiona? Enemies-to-He's-destroying-my-confidence-but-he's-hot-so-yeah... No. For a good chunk of the book I actually got where Liam was coming from! But rather than explore a deeper mentor-mentee relationship there, Christensen torched his character, zero redemption.
- Fiona got serious with Rory; once Fiona had chosen Rory, that should've been it. However dull their romance was. The focus could have been on fleshing out the career story line further with Rory serving more as a character who'd support his girlfriend, seeing as he worked with chefs all the time, owned a winery and thus knew how things worked behind the scenes. Cut the drama, serve the story.

Unfortunately, as I suspected, Christensen doubled down on that triangle by forging ahead with a trope dearly beloathed by almost every romance reader. That's hard to come back from, regardless.

Thank you NetGalley and Sybelline Press for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.

[Amanrit Uppal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves food (reading about it, looking at food images, savoring it), reading this novel truly felt like a treat! "Le Pate a Bombe" is a sensory experience. From the very first page, the way the author describes simple ingredients like peaches, apples, chocolate etc. awakened something within me. Her words don't just tell a story, they actual taste! And that is a huge compliment for an author! At times, I found myself pausing, re-reading and imagining the flavors in my mouth. Fiona biting into ripe fruit at the farmer's market... I genuinely wanted to go out and buy the same fruit for myself. Now that's inspiration!

Michelle Christensen's background as a pastry chef in California (yes, I did a tad bit of digging!) shines through every page. Her firsthand knowledge of restaurant life gives the story a unique authenticity. I've dined at a couple Michelin-starred restaurants during a trip to London a couple of years ago, but that's about the extent of my knowledge with fine dining. This book took me deeper. I was googling the James Beard award, restaurant rankings, and even checking out the cookbooks mentioned in the book. The learning, the inspiration, it was all so enriching.

The relationships in the story were equally compelling. I particularly loved the dynamic between Fiona and Rose. Fiona gave Rose a chance when many others wouldn't have. And that choice allowed Rose to grow and flourish. In often cutthroat work cultures, it was refreshing to see a character like Fiona leading with both integrity and kindness.

*SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH*
The love triangle between Brandon and Rory added emotional depth. I appreciated how different the two men were. Rory is nurturing and gentlemanly while Brandon is controlling and competitive. The contrast made Fiona's inner journey even more powerful. And the final reveal was almost like a twist I didn't see coming! Brandons sabotage of Fiona's desserts took me by surprise. His desire to keep her desserts "lesser then" so his meals could take the spotlight was actually something I was not expecting. I genuinely thought Brandon was only egotistical and didn't want Fiona to have her way. I didn't realize he had ulterior motives the entire time. Ultimately, Fiona stays true to her vision, and her plate was what earned praise from critics. That moment was beautifully written.

I did notice grammatical issues throughout the book and a tendency towards repetitive phrasing. Honestly, that didn't take me back at all from enjoying the story. This is a debut novel from this author, and it's filled with creativity, inspiration and uniqueness. These are three characteristics I look for in all fiction novels I read. And the author hit the nail on the head with all three! This was the third novel I read in 2025 that centered around food, and out of all three, this book takes first place. And I don't say that lightly.

I sincerely hope Michelle Christensen continues to write. Her work will find its way into the hands of readers who recognize the originality and sensory beauty she's poured into every page.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristi Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up to 3

First and foremost, I want to give credit to the author. She has so much knowledge regarding baking and culinary arts. She mentioned techniques and ingredients I had never heard of and found myself Googling a lot of her desserts. Also, made me crave sweets (lol).

Now, to get to the not fun part.

I had a really hard time with this one. The characters had some issues. The romance was subpar. And the constant positivity quotes drove me insane.

Fiona, a baker at a Michelin star restaurant owned by chef Julia Stone, finally gets her chance to be head pastry chef. She has dreamed since she was a child of being the best pastry chef in LA. Fiona has a lot of drive and passion, but she is SO hard on herself. Every time something didn't go her way or when Liam disregarded her pastry menu, she doubted everything and it got annoying after awhile.

Liam, a Michelin star chef, is hired by Fiona's restaurant to lead the kitchen. He is egotistical, short tempered, and overall a horrible person. But he is "so dreamy", so Fiona is drawn to him physically. Liam is world-renowned for his cooking and takes Fiona to a lot of celeb-worthy dining events and has access to other Michelin star restaurants in the city. This is appealing to Fiona, but she's also overwhelmed by the spotlight.

Rory, a wine maker and farmer, connects with Fiona at a market as his mother supplies all the fresh produce to Fiona's restaurant. He seems like a decent guy, but honestly I don't get what's so appealing about him to Fiona. He is a single, divorced dad. He has multiple businesses and is nonstop busy. And he ghosts her for over a week after their first date. But even so, Fiona is obsessed with him. She isn't one to have long relationships and claims she gets bored after 3 dates, and let me tell you, she gets to 3 dates with Rory and is convinced that he is her "one" and she pines for him. They just didn't appear to have a lot of chemistry to me and the whole relationship felt forced.

Fiona's friends were fine. Kate was artistically gifted and was in a band, which we heard about a lot as the characters often went to her shows. Charlotte, another culinary friend of Fiona's, was pushy. She wanted to open restaurant with Fiona and was relentless in her bringing it up with Fiona. Fiona was adamant that she wanted to create a name for herself prior to opening a restaurant on her own (understandable, as it's a lot to take on and it's costly). Charlotte called her a coward and was so mean to her because she didn't want to give up her Michelin dreams right away.

Fiona's dad was fine, hardworking, but my god if I had to hear one more positivity quote (ex: believe you can and you're halfway there), I was going to LOSE my mind.

Also, probably the worst of all, the chapters are SO long.

I think if you're a fan of cooking/baking shows and the restaurant industry, this book may be for you.

Pub date: 6/13/2025

[Nathalie Najibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading La Pâte à Bombe felt like stepping into a sun-drenched kitchen where ambition simmers, dreams rise like soufflés, and heartbreak is plated with a dusting of powdered sugar. Michelle Christensen’s debut novel is a love letter to pastry, perseverance, and the messy beauty of chasing your calling—even when the heat is unbearable.

Fiona McConnell is a pastry cook with a past steeped in grit and a future dangling just out of reach. From her childhood in a scrappy LA catering business to the high-stakes kitchen of Lucien, a Michelin-hungry restaurant, Fiona’s journey is one of transformation. When she’s unexpectedly promoted to pastry chef, the pressure mounts—and so does the tension with Liam Auclair, the new head chef whose perfectionism borders on tyrannical. Add in a meet-cute with Rory, a dreamy farmer’s son with golden-retriever energy and a knack for understanding Fiona’s soul, and you’ve got a recipe for a story that’s equal parts sweet and savory.

What I loved most? Fiona herself. She’s not just relatable—she’s real. Her doubts, her fire, her stubborn refusal to give up even when the odds are stacked like a precarious croquembouche. Christensen writes her with such warmth and nuance that I found myself rooting for her like she was a close friend. The kitchen scenes are vivid and tactile—don’t read this book hungry unless you’re ready to raid your pantry for butter and sugar. The descriptions of pastries are borderline sinful, and I mean that as a compliment.

The romance with Rory is cozy and comforting, like a warm brioche on a rainy morning. He’s the kind of love interest who doesn’t steal the spotlight but enhances Fiona’s arc in a way that feels earned. Their chemistry is gentle, slow-burning, and full of quiet moments that made me smile. On the flip side, Liam’s presence injects tension and drama, though at times his character felt a bit too one-note. I wanted more layers to his motivations beyond the “chef with a vision” trope.

Where the novel loses a quarter star for me is pacing and predictability. Some plot turns felt a little too familiar—career crisis, romantic misunderstanding, redemption arc—but Christensen’s voice is so inviting that I didn’t mind the occasional cliché. The supporting cast is lively, especially Fiona’s friends, who bring humor and heart to the story. I just wished the ending had lingered a bit longer in the emotional payoff—it wrapped up a touch too neatly for my taste.

Still, La Pâte à Bombe is a delightful read, perfect for fans of food fiction, slow-burn romance, and stories about women carving out space in demanding industries. It’s a novel that celebrates the art of baking as a metaphor for life: messy, precise, and full of unexpected magic.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Christensen’s next creation. If this debut is any indication, she’s got the recipe for something truly special.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up as a food network kid and still love cooking shows (even though cooking has never really been my thing) So I went into this with some expectations about what kind of book I was reading and I do believe my expectations were wrong. This book is more contemporary fiction/chick lit with a romantic subplot. The romance really took a back seat, so that's on me for expecting more of a romcom vibe. While ultimately it did fall flat for me in the end, there were things I did enjoy.

Fiona went through so many emotions trying to realize her dream, even when she wasn't really sure what her dream was anymore. When it felt like she was being kicked on the ground, she stood back up and never gave in. Regardless of how it seemed, she never gave anyone the satisfaction of never fully seeing her fail. I really admired Fiona's determination.

Now this book is about being a chef, so get ready for a ton of food descriptions that just make you want to eat. I LOVED reading about all the different dishes and Fiona's innate creativity when making new flavor profiles without a second thought.

The biggest problems I had with this book were the side characters and the pacing.

It was really hard to feel connected to them as they didn't feel fully fleshed out, and even through the conversations with Fiona, it almost felt like Fiona was too overwhelmed with her own thoughts and life to really care about them. If the main character seems to not care for her friends, family, coworkers, or even romantic interests, how is the reader supposed to? When it comes to the romance aspect with Rory, I felt like neither Fiona, nor I, knew him at all. Every conversation was a bite of fruit (and him explaining what it reminded him of) and a sip of wine (and what flavor profile he was creating) I understand it's his passion, but is that the entirety of their relationship? Am I supposed to believe they truly care for each other?

As far as pacing goes, it also relates to the emotional depth of the characters. Every single time something important is about to happen where more emotion can be created, the scene cuts to the next day and Fiona gives a little summary of her feelings over what happened. Everything big, everything that could have made me feel something for Fiona and her interpersonal relationships happened OFF the page. Knowing what was going through Fiona's mind during her big career altering/life changing moments, in the heat of the moment instead of the next morning, would have really helped me feel more connected to the story.

Overall, while I do believe this could use some fleshing out and a bit more editing, I'm not mad I read this. If you want a book with a heavier focus on being a chef in a fine dining restaurant, it's worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kellie Rainey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had good bones. The concept is something like The Devil Wears Prada if Miranda was a Michelin-starred chef who wasn't actually good at her job at all. Really fun in theory, but the execution left plenty to be desired. The ending didn't really make any sense to me and the story felt incomplete when all was said and done. The romance aspect was shallow and I didn't feel the chemistry between Fiona and Rory OR Brandon.

The first thing about this book that really stood out to me is that the main character, Fiona, (and perhaps by extension, the author) had a lot of disdain toward a lot of the people she observed in passing. For example, Fiona is blocking the sidewalk in Santa Monica and is asked to move by an unhoused person her internal monologue was, and I quote, "Her dirty gingham dress and back-turned baseball hat betrayed her insanity". I didn't appreciate the needless hostility toward the unhoused. She's dirty and asking you to move because you're in the way and that makes her insane? Yikes.

Another example in Ch. 17 of the book is Fiona observing a "chunky guy" crowd surfing and wondering to herself if he was "breaking the 200 rule". What purpose did this passage serve besides unnecessary rudeness toward people with larger body types? Fiona also repeatedly mentions the marijuana shop next to her dad's restaurant and complains about the smell. She never seems to take issue with cigarette smoke, though. The repetition of her complaint comes off as unnecessary snark toward marijuana users. It's fine to not like the smell, but did your book gain anything from you repeatedly voicing that opinion? It's hard to connect with the main character when her internal monologue reads as constant judgment and misery.

Another thing that made reading this difficult for me was the very frequent spelling and punctuation errors. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that a book about food and wine will show the correct names of the foods and wines. At a minimum, do a periodic spell check before going to the publication phase. Even the names of Fiona's restaurant and other characters (Marci/Marcy Strand) were misspelled many times throughout the book. I understand editors can be expensive, but hitting the spell check button easily would have resolved most of the errors. Unfortunately, a lot of times the author just used completely wrong words in place of what she was trying to communicate (e.g. "ammeter" instead of "amateur", "volitive" instead of "votive").

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksirens, Sibylline Press and author Michelle Christensen for providing me with the eARC of “La Pate a Bombe”. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Publication date: June 13th, 2025

I would give this 3.5 stars!

Fiona has had a passion for baking since she was young. Her father always taught her the only way to be truly successful in the culinary world- was to become a real chef. So, that has always been her goal.
She finally gets the opportunity to become the pastry chef at the Michelin star restaurant she is employed at.
The problem? This comes having to please a very harsh, rude and judgmental top chef, Liam.
Tensions are high between Liam and Fiona, as he makes her feel talentless at work and has infiltrated her personal life, causing problems between her and Rory, the man she is really interested in.
Fiona must decide what really matters to her, and if the path to success is actually as straight as she once thought.

I thought this story was okay!
It is a cute, fun, inspirational read. I think a lot of people could find it enjoyable, especially if you love food/bakery themed books.
The main character is likeable, the story is interesting, and it seemed well thought-out.
It is clear that the author has experience and/or has done research into the culinary arts.
The book is well written as well. It is easy to follow and makes for a pretty quick and easy read.
While this does have romance, I feel it is more focused on Fiona, her career and her personal journey. So, if you’re big on stories like that, you may want to give it a go.


The only reason I am not giving it a higher rating, is because it just didn’t really align with my personal taste.
I really have nothing against the story, and it was by no means unenjoyable. I just didn’t love the overall theme.
I also felt that it was just a little bit long and drawn-out. It think it could have been shorter, but still would have had the same effect.


Overall, I may recommend it based on your personal reading interest.
If you like a culinary themed book, and you aren’t looking for something super romance-forward, it might be for you.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

➸ 5 stars

Oh. My. Gosh. I am OBSESSED with this book. Like…how do I even put into words the way La Pâte à Bombe completely took over my brain, my heart, and honestly even my stomach?! 🍰✨

First things first: do NOT—I repeat, do NOT—open this book without a pastry in your hand. I thought I was safe, but no. By chapter three I was absolutely suffering from pastry cravings. Christensen’s writing is so vivid and delicious it’s like the desserts come alive off the page—rich, gooey, buttery, decadent. I swear I gained 5 pounds just by reading about them, and I regret nothing.

Fiona completely stole my heart. She’s strong, passionate, and so deeply dedicated to her craft—you just can’t help but root for her every single step of the way. Her journey felt like watching someone wrestle with their soul in the most high-stakes kitchen in the world, and I was HOOKED. The tension between following her own vision vs. bending to Chef Liam’s impossible standards had me screaming into the pages like a deranged sous chef. 🙃

And okay, THE ROMANCE. 🥹 Rory is literally the sweetest cinnamon roll (pun intended). A single dad? With that soft, steady, golden retriever energy? He understood Fiona more than she understood herself sometimes, and I was just MELTING. He is everything. Liam, on the other hand, is the kind of infuriatingly charming chef that you want to throw flour at—but even then, the dynamic was so addictive to read.

This was the perfect kind of slow burn. Cozy, emotional, full of intensity in all the right places. It’s not just a love story—it’s Fiona’s story. Her growth, her heartbreak, her resilience. The way she falls, picks herself back up, and finds her way back to the heart of why she loves baking in the first place. I was clapping, crying, and cheering her on like she was my best friend.

Christensen’s prose is the kind that feels like walking into a Gilmore Girl set—cozy, inviting, and impossible to leave. I was completely transported.

This book gave me everything: drama, passion, food, romance, life lessons, and even a little heartbreak that made the sweet moments taste even sweeter.

All I can say is: prepare to fall in love! 🥐❤️

I received it as an Arc from NetGalley

[Sarah Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. This was bad.

I will say that the story is interesting, but the WRITING - the writing is horrible. The structure of the overall book is strange and unbalanced. The “chapters within chapters” could have been their own, individual chapters, or at least tied in to make a more cohesive timeline.

I saw so many spelling and grammatical mistakes, it made me want to bang my head against a wall. One cannot rely on spell check alone; homonyms will pass a spell check but have completely different meanings. Did an actual editor even look at this? If so, Ms. Christensen, I hope it was for free. If you were charged for editing services, that editor really did you dirty; I’d try to get my money back.

The story itself:

Fiona was frustrating. She is semi-likable, but is so easily influenced and turned by other people, it was hard to know what thoughts were her own vs. trying to please others.

I didn’t like Brandon (Liam? When, and why, was the name changed?) AT ALL. He was just a red flag parade and he gave me the creeps.

The jargon. THE JARGON. This book leans VERY heavily on extremely niche, specific kitchen jargon with which the average person is not familiar. It was incredibly annoying to have to continually search the internet for terms, which includes MOST of the dessert creations throughout the book.

All of the characters are horribly two-dimensional. There’s no insight into personalities.

Glaring errors, even though it’s too late:

The scene referenced in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 is not correctly described. The man who was the target of an “offer he can’t refuse” wasn’t a mobster, he was president of a movie studio.

Earlier in the book, it’s said Fiona’s mother died when Fiona was four. Later, she was two. Which is it?

An “ammeter” is an instrument for measuring electrical current. Did you mean “amateur”? See what I mean about spell check not being your friend?

It’s a Mack truck, not a Mac. That’s a computer. 🙄 I should know; I drove one.

Rose works for Fiona? When and how did that happen? There’s no lead-up or explanation, she’s just suddenly there.

•𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘊𝘰-𝘰𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.•

[Orrie Baray-Forgét · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review – La Pâte à Bombe by Michelle Christensen
⭐️⭐️ (2/5 stars)

La Pâte à Bombe starts strong with the promise of high-stakes kitchen drama, professional ambition, and a dash of romance. Fiona McConnell, a pastry chef trying to break into the elite culinary world of Los Angeles, is finally handed her big break—just as the restaurant she works for sets its sights on the impossible: earning three Michelin stars. Alongside the new head chef, the intense and inspiring Liam Auclair, Fiona begins to come into her own. Then Rory, a charming vintner-slash-surfer, enters the picture as the supposed love interest… and things start to feel uneven.

While the setup hints at an “enemies-to-lovers” tension between Fiona and Liam—one that feels natural and compelling—the actual romantic arc ends up centering on Rory, a character who, despite his charm, never quite commands the same presence or narrative investment. This bait-and-switch made the story feel disjointed. The plot leans heavily into romance without committing to its emotional weight, leaving moments like a pivotal (and implied) cheating scene feeling rushed and underdeveloped.

More than anything, this book seems to want to be about Fiona’s growth as a chef and a person—learning to stand up for herself, to take creative control, to find her voice in the kitchen. And those parts worked! The final chapters, especially with her and her friend opening a new spot, felt earned and satisfying. But the romance elements felt forced, and in some places, unnecessary. I’m all for books about self-discovery, but when a love triangle is introduced, it needs to add to the character’s evolution—not muddy it.

Ultimately, La Pâte à Bombe had the ingredients for a satisfying contemporary novel, but the execution left me underwhelmed. A tighter focus on Fiona’s culinary journey, or a more carefully built romantic thread, could have made this a standout. As is, it didn’t quite rise.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[charmette.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of La pate a bombe caught my eye, and I was intrigued by the French title. This novel is Fiona’s story about breaking in to the restaurant scene as a pastry chef in Los Angeles. While fightingd for her place in the restaurant industry, Fiona has several love interests, great nights out with friends, and support from her Dad as she tries to find her way.

I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the profession of pastry chef. From everyday tasks, to the professional kitchen setup, to the nightly chaos of preparing food in a Michelin-starred restaurant, the reader sees what it means to be a pastry chef. Fiona is talented and hard-working, and wants to succeed in this cutthroat environment. She has to deal with toxic work environments, volatile chefs, and intense daily pressure to create perfect desserts. Yet, Fiona seems to struggle most of all with her uncertainty of her path in life, and how to find satisfaction and happiness.

I found the character of Liam to be really aggressive and abusive to others. The author created a chef character that embodied all of the chauvinistic, egotistical and controlling behavior of the stereotypical head chef. I found his character to be so unpleasant that the parts of the book he was featured in really dragged for me. I just couldn’t stomach his abusive behavior towards Fiona and the other characters of the book.

Initially, I was disappointed to read about some of Fiona’s insecurities and poor decision-making skills as she navigates her career. After reading the entire book, I really appreciate how the author wrapped up the story, and resolved the many issues that Fiona was struggling with throughout the book. Fiona is ultimately a successful and empowering example of a successful pastry chef in the Los Angeles food scene.

Thank you to Michelle Christensen, Sibylline Digital Press and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really is La Bomb it’s full of aplomb and witticism among the criticism of the food as I couldn’t taste the delights but could imagine the taste and I wanted a bite ,such was my plight! While championing Fiona of course , every course and throughout the course of this great storyline which is magnifique! Divine! The bomb! Shall we get on? So to speak.Fiona’s boss Julia must think she’s boss to fire her head chef and pastry chef in one fell swoop and lead her into the shoe in the door chef she does implore , endure and aspire to be ! Julia hires Liam Auclair ( what a name for an head chef ,I do love an eclair I do) too, he’s objectifying an elusive thing ,three Michelin stars no mean ask but he feels up to the task . The undertaking of the dishes he’s making ,or even baking …Fiona McConnell has always dreamed of being a famous pastry chef since catering with her dad on the mean streets of LA where the city does play. It’s in her hands and it’s going to be fun ,or she’ll die trying . Work hard and play hard for your lot in life through grit determination and strife. Love just as fierce and devoutly too. That’s how you woo too…She meets Rory Martin on her first day Does their love story come into play? You’ll discover if you read it yourself. And the answer too to this conundrum,what happens when a head chef and a pastry chef lock French horns? Because this chec ,this woman has been scorned because her ideas of perfection differ from his and he goes the right way about rubbing her up the wrong way to get the results he’s after . Does this pan out ,do they all get their happy ever after ? Why don’t you pick up this great book , I took a chance and I’m glad that I did ,in fact mightily so. And those descriptive foods had me all a drool too …phew! Great writing and such delightful descriptor and penned . I loved reading beginning to magnificent end .

[Ariella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes I made while reading:

For a couple pages I thought perhaps Auclair was her love interest and that it would be like an enemies to lovers kind of situation

There were a few things I didn’t like about the book such as the pacing and other, but I feel like it is unfair to base my review on that as I do know that this is not the final copy of the book.
Thus, my review will try to only stick to the story and not the writing itself.

I didn’t like how eneamoured she was with Rory after only a few minutes in his pre scene, he hadn’t done anything worthy of that reaction in my opinion.

I’m sensing that Brandon is being placed as a love inertest.. the’res some tension

There’s some slight undertones of misogyny and sexism, not a fan

Oh.. Sammy is the typicalmobservant gay black man who also loves sleeping around

I hate Brandon - he’s an asshole. I really hope we don’t end up with a love triangle.

END NOTES:
- The idea of the book was great, the execution was not so.
- I didn’t really connect with the characters or anything. The FMC kept annoying me and the MMCs were weird.
- There was no connection with her and either MMC, the writing doesn’t flow in a way that makes you squeal from joy and kick your feet together.
- This book didn’t captivate me in the way that makes me wanna stay up until 2am to finish reading, it wasn’t really a page turner.
- The food descriptions were pretty cool, I love how the book wasn’t JUST a romance but also really incorporated her job as a chef, it shows her as a more than romance centred person.
- The writing was somewhat clunky. I do hope that this will be more polished for the published version.
- THE SPELLING MISTAKES KEPT PISSING ME OFF. Not that I don’t mind the spelling mistakes because I do know that this is an ARC, but the changing of character names like right in the middle of the book was annoying. His name is Liam and then it’s Brandon…………

Final rating
2.5…..

[Stacey T · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this debut novel, the story explores the Los Angeles food scene through the eyes of an aspiring pastry chef named Fiona. She is passionate about creating and inspiring others with her desserts, but she is determined to avoid the struggles her father faced in the industry. To achieve her dreams, Fiona seeks to work under esteemed restaurateurs to gain prestige and recognition in her field. Enter Brandon, a renowned chef known for making bold changes to restaurants. He arrives with the goal of helping the owner, Julia, earn three Michelin stars. However, his abrasive personality creates a tense atmosphere in the kitchen, leading Fiona to question her own talents. Rory, a wine and cheese maker, supports his mother on their farm while navigating his recent divorce and raising his young daughter. He admires Fiona but finds himself at a crossroads, needing to determine if he is ready to forgive and move forward in life. As Fiona, Brandon, and Rory navigate their dreams and realities, the story raises questions about success and the misconceptions that often accompany it.
While I enjoyed the characters overall, I found myself disliking Fiona at times, and Brandon's personality was intentionally off-putting. I appreciated the supporting characters, who added laughter and a reality check to the others. However, I felt that the book was a bit lengthy and would benefit from further editing, as there were several grammatical issues present. Additionally, I wasn't a fan of the love triangle, even though it concluded with a happy ending and the tragedy in the story was depressing even though understandable. Overall, it was a decent read from a promising new author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mary Anne Wangen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started out slow for me, but it really got better towards the end. It is like The Devil Wears Prada but set in the restaurant/cooking world.

The story follows pastry chef Fiona who wants to be renowned in her craft. Opportunity strikes as restaurant owner Julia asks her to prove herself. Famous chef Liam joins the team, but creates a push-and-pull atmosphere with Fiona. At the same time, Fiona starts a relationship with purveyor Rory. What will Fiona do to reach her dreams? Are fame and Michelin stars the most important things as a chef?

I understand Fiona. I see myself in her because of desire to succeed in her career. She works hard and abides by what those around her tell her to do. However, Fiona tends to make bad decisions for the sake of achieving her dreams. This makes her a believable FMC though. Fiona is not perfect, and her development was well-written by the author.

Looking at the MMCs, they’re very interesting. I was hoping that there will be a redemption arc for Liam. I did like that there was none. In real life, bullies and manipulative people will always be like that. When it comes to Rory, I felt bad for him. To open yourself up finally then get stabbed in the back is too much. It was brave of him to give Fiona another shot. Let’s hope Fiona doesn’t get too ambitious this time.

I liked the ending. It was predictable in a way, but it was enjoyable. There’s no happy ending in a romantic sense, so I am left to wonder what happens next.

Overall, I will recommend this book to those who love restaurant drama with a slice of revenge.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

What really shines here is the evident knowledge of baking on an expert level. As an amateur baker myself some of the terms were definitely out of my knowledge wheelhouse, but it didn't deter my interest in Fiona's complex creations. With that said, besides the crafting of a bake the story felt quite aimless. You could explain some of that away by her being uncertain in her own life, but even the story's structure was odd. It didn't know whether it wanted to be a coming-into-her-own story about her cooking or a romance or something in between, so none of those aspects were fully developed in the end. There were points where I wasn't even sure if she was going to remain a professional chef by the end of it and that uncertainty had nothing to do with her workplace drama. Part of the issue is the completely unnecessary love triangle. Fiona gets in deeper with Rory and by that point Liam should've been out of the romantic picture entirely yet he wasn't for some unknowable reason. It's like she was making dumb choices for the sake of added drama to the story even though it was clear she herself wouldn't have made those choices if her character was written consistently. The prose itself was quite verbose and repetitive with unnatural, cyclical dialogue, which made conversations frustrating at times. I wanted a book centered around a talented baker to feel more vibrant and passionate, but that just wasn't what this turned out to be, unfortunately.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the arc!

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

La Pâte à Bombe is a delightful tale of food, love, and ambition.

Fiona McConnell's childhood was spent helping her dad with his Los Angeles catering business, fueling her dream of becoming a celebrated pastry chef. Fiona gets her chance when Julia Stone, who owns a renowned LA restaurant, lets go of both her head chef and pastry chef. Simultaneously, Julia enlists renowned chef Liam Auclair to help the restaurant achieve a historic three-Michelin-star rating, unprecedented in LA.

Fiona feels a mix of excitement and nerves as she faces this high-stakes challenge. Her first day includes a meeting with Rory Martin, a charming winemaker who's also passionate about surfing and food. It seems Rory is perfect for Fiona, and she feels as though all her dreams might finally come true.

But, neither cooking nor love is without its difficulties. Fiona struggles with work pressures, relationship surprises, and the demand for flawlessness. In her climb to the top, she needs to stay true to herself. La Pâte à Bombe, that tricky pastry base, is like Fiona's journey—it needs patience and care to get it right.

If you love cooking shows, stories about food, and characters with big dreams, you'll love this book! This heartwarming read shows that amazing things, like the best desserts, require time, effort, and love.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Iqah Reduan · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️.5

Tropes:
🔺Love triangle
👩‍🍳Workplace drama

This is some plot I tell you. I like the idea of having a realistic point of view of working in an intense, high-stake career. I love the food and pastries element in this book because I love food duh. It’s a very easy book to read. But, I don’t feel attached to any of the characters at all. The main character, Fiona, dreams of becoming a well-known pastry chef but she struggles to find her place. I enjoy reading about her journey to becoming the pastry chef who enjoys making pastries because she likes it and not just following orders like a robot of what her boss wanted. The struggle of getting validations felt real and relatable to me.

What I don’t connect with is the romantic relationships in this book. I honestly couldn’t feel anything on the romance aspect but I guess this book doesn’t want to mainly focus on that. But, just know that I do not like Liam since the beginning and Rory was ok for me. He is sweet and caring. I also did not see that tragic happening btw, it really came as a surprise to me. There’s actually so much going on in this book that it felt really chaotic and rushed.

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Christensen and Sibylline Press for giving me this ARC!

[A Mysterious Gabe Appears · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book off of BookSirens in exchange for a review.

The concept had a lot of potential. I love a good aspiring chef story with a strong female lead. LA is always a great place for a novel to take place since it really is a huge melting pot for people. The author really had a great playground to start with.

I really think if the author worked on characters more, this novel would've been a lot more enjoyable for me. Our main character is a bit naive and cowardly which didn't resonate well with me. It isn't those flaws themselves but just the lack of growth to address it until the very end of the book. I wasn't a fan of one love interest and the other one really wasn't given enough time for an authentic feeling romance to develop.

You know what was done really, really well though? The food. Oh my god- the food descriptions made me very hungry while I was reading this book. I could almost taste the peaches, strawberries, apricots and other fruits. When it came to food, I always felt really impressed. If it had just been food, I think I would've enjoyed this a lot more.

Overall, it isn't a book without potential, but it needs some polish.

[Jemma Macharia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through Booksprout, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. While it has undertones of romance in the book, it is very much a contemporary fiction. The book follows Fiona, a talented pastry chef, as she struggles to figure out what she wants out of life. Michelle Christensen does an a great job showing the battle between the path planned, and the path that shows up unexpectedly. Fiona's passion for blending the perfect flavors together is evident in the description of the dishes. My mouth was watering so many times as I got jealous I couldn't actually taste the desserts on the plate. While I'm disappointed to not get more scenes between Fiona and Rory, I'm actually happy with how the book ended. The possibilities for the future are left in the reader's mind, and even the study guide questions allow for multiple discussions on how it can look. As a first book, La Pate a Bombe does a great job, and I cannot wait to see if the author writes more!

[Pia.reads1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

One thing I really liked about this book was how the aspect of food was brought into everything, simple moments were described like tastes and scents of different fruits and I really liked that. I also loved that music was also a really big part of it (especially the claire de lune mention). I really liked the speed at which the romance with Rory progressed at the start and in the end I was just shocked especially with how it ended between them in my mind they live happily ever after. At one point I was really scared that there would be a switch to a romance between Fiona and Liam and I couldn’t figure out who the love interest was this part definitely stressed me but i’m kind of a good way. I felt that the book dragged a bit because the chapters were so long and this was the part that bothered me the most about it, but the last 15% went by really fast. One thing that really pissed me off too was that Julia had no Backbone at all like she was just getting commanded around even though it was her restaurant and that was just so incredibly annoying. My Jaw was on the floor when Delia died like what do you mean I really did not expect that at all.

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 Stars)

La Pâte à Bombe by Michelle Christensen

This book is a fascinating blend of culinary artistry and storytelling, offering a unique perspective on the often-overlooked technique of pâte à bombe in both literal and metaphorical ways. Christensen’s passion shines through in her detailed explanations, and the prose often feels as carefully whipped as the confections she describes.

That said, while the concept is refreshing, the pacing occasionally lags. Some sections are a bit too heavy on technical detail, which may pull casual readers out of the narrative. At times, I wished for more emotional depth or personal anecdotes to balance out the precision.

Still, La Pâte à Bombe succeeds as both an homage to craft and a meditation on patience, transformation, and sweetness in unexpected places. It’s a thoughtful read that will resonate most with food lovers, pastry enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates artistry in small details.


Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-op & Sibylline Press for my review copy

[Danielle Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of La Pâte à Bombe from NetGalley, and while the grammar isn’t always polished (which is expected at this stage), the story itself more than made up for it.

At first, I found myself confused about which character Fiona was speaking to, but once I settled into the narrative, the heart of this book really pulled me in. Fiona’s journey is a story of self-belief in the face of relentless doubt and scrutiny—a journey I personally connected with, having been placed in leadership roles where my decisions were constantly questioned.

What stood out most was the support Fiona received from her circle of encouragers. Their words weren’t just dialogue; they were affirmations that reminded me, as a reader, of the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who see our worth when we can’t.

The messy romance was a lovely addition, adding a bit conflict to the storyline, but never overshadowing Fiona’s growth. It made the story richer and more engaging. However an epilogue would of made the ending feel complete

This book is not just about professional or romantic success—it’s about resilience, belief, and finding strength in unexpected places.

[Louise Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romances with chef MCs are my kryptonite so I was really excited to start reading La Pâte à Bombe especially because it’s set in one of my favourite cities, Los Angeles.

I liked Fiona and I could understand why she was so driven to seek external validation for her culinary talents. The foodie descriptions were yum. I could definitely tell that the author is a Pastry Chef because it felt really authentic. Rory is a sweetheart and I liked the two of them together. So far, so good…

It’s hard to talk about why I only gave this 3 x Stars (It Was OK) without risking giving away any spoilers. I’d say up until the last chapter, I was going to give it 4 x Stars (Liked It) but I’m not a fan of how abruptly it ended. I also feel like there was a curveball that kind of came out of nowhere and apart from blaming too much alcohol, I’m still not sure why it happened.

[Kellie Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

La Pâte à Bombe by Michelle Christensen is a culinary guide that demystifies the classic French technique of whipping egg yolks with hot sugar syrup to create a stable base for desserts. Christensen breaks down the process step by step, making it approachable for both professional chefs and home bakers. The book highlights its versatility in mousses, buttercreams, and frozen desserts, showcasing how this foundational skill elevates pastry creations.

La Pâte à Bombe by Michelle Christensen is a solid introduction to an essential pastry technique, but it sometimes reads more like a technical manual than an engaging cookbook. While the step-by-step instructions are clear and helpful, the book could benefit from more photos, troubleshooting tips, and creative recipes to inspire readers beyond the basics. It’s useful for learning the foundation, but might leave passionate bakers wanting more depth and variety.

[Catie Monks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers for the sneak peek and to BookSirens for the read!
What a delicious read! This soon to be published novel has everything a dessert lover needs: a sunny Los Angeles setting, competitive chefs seeking approval and Michelin stars, and a taste of the culinary culture that makes LA a foodie paradise. I loved the way the author, who must have a strong pastry background, sets up a scene. The story was cinematic from its character buildups to its description of restaurant interiors and wardrobes. I felt like I was watching a fun and hyper-LA rom-com but with more heart and stronger life lessons. It has all the California must-haves without the gluten-free, calorie restriction that can make LA kind of superficial.